Category Archives: eMarketing

Building A Contact List From My Website

Is there a good way to use my website to start creating a contact database for b2b relations? I heard that If I can get the targets to my website and have them sign up for some type of information I can then get there information and use it as a target prospect. Is this true?

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Jay’s Answer: Yes. It’s sort of a chicken-and-egg problem. You build a contact list because people have opted in to your communications. They opt-in because they believe you have information that they want.

But first, you need to get them to your website, which means that somehow your target audience needs to find you when they start looking for you. So you also need to invest in bringing (anonymous) people to your website, to entice them with your offering, and want them to continue talking with them.

Also – studies show that the more information you ask of people to opt-in, the lower the sign-up rate. So, only ask for information that you absolutely need to have to begin the dialog. Once you’ve show your true worth, they’ll share more of themselves with you.

How To Create A Yoga Teachers Website

I am a RYT registered yoga teacher. I am inquiring a few tips on what a consumer wants out of a yoga website and how to name my new company. I currently work at a Mental Clinic LLC, and I would like to incorporate their business with mine. They are one of a kind, therapy partnered with Holistic services including ti chi, massage, reiki and yoga. For my personal practice, I plan on creating a website, and it needs a name. I teach HATHA YOGA, which is a more gentle type. I teach most people over 30 years of age and really try to achieve a more stress-free way of living.

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Jay’s Answer: People look for websites for all sorts of information: location, pricing, schedule, services, and details. Additionally, the content/look of the website must appeal to those you’re targeting.

As for a name, you’re looking for both a domain name and a business name. A business name needs to be unique in your county, so you can file a DBA. Your domain name ideally is the same as your business name, but if it’s “similar enough” that’ll probably suffice for your needs.

Unless you’re targeting people already familiar with yoga, Hatha doesn’t mean much to them. Since you’ve been teaching awhile, why are people taking your classes? Is it for stress-reduction, flexibility, community, etc.? Focus on the key benefit, and reflect that in your name, tagline, and the rest of your marketing materials.

Marketing Fitness Blog Site To Young Professionals

Hi, I have been fighting the fitness battle my whole life. In high school and college I was too skinny, then I started my own business and found little time to train. I have solved both problems, going from a skinny 150 lbs to a lean and muscular 178 lbs while shortening my workouts to fit my increasingly busy schedule. I needed balance in my life, fitness gave me that and I want to share my solutions with others facing the same problems. I want to help other young business professionals win the same battles without making the same mistakes I did in the form of a free blog site.

How do I get this message across on my site?

I need an effective title and subtitle as well as an effective page layout but am struggling with both.
Here is my site, read ‘my story’ for more info. I have a boxing background which I’d like to incorporate into the site (www.chadhowsefitness.com) as well. Any ideas will help! Thanks

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Jay’s Answer: Focus on your copy first. Tell personal stories of how your body image affected your worldview and how improving your body improved your life. Ask others to share their stories.

Don’t think of trying to establish yourself as an authority figure yet. You have your own experiences, but unless you’ve helped hundreds (or thousands) of others improve their bodies and life, you can’t claim the title (and you’d rather have others hand the title to you).

As for traffic, that’s another issue entirely. Copy will keep ’em, but you need people to read your copy. Write your articles/stories, but try to be a guest blogger in places your target audience visits. Also be clear who you’re targeting – the whole world or just the area you live in (are you trying to get clients or noticed?).

Baby Boomer Blog Website Critique

I do marketing for a Baby Boomer support website/blog called Vaboomer (www.Vaboomer.com)
Is this site looking good? Is it clear? What are critiques? Do you get a good feeling from it?

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Jay’s Answer: My key question about the blog is:

What’s the goal of the blog? For author PR? To sell something? To build traffic/authority status?

If it’s not about the author, then remove the author’s name from the banner.

If it’s to sell something, make the featured books more prominent (and make the books have links into the Amazon associates program).

If it’s to build traffic, write less and ask questions of the readership more.

If it’s to build authority, state opinions, quote other authorities, and react to their opinions.

Webinar For Small Biz – Time Of Day?

I’ve been hosting a very successful webinar series for individual sales professionals, and am expanding this to series to include small business owners.

My question is, what time of day, or even day of the week would be considered ideal? I’ve been researching this topic myself, and find very little recommendations outside of “take their schedule into consideration.”

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Jay’s Answer: Start by picking one time and record the webinar for time-shifted playback. Also consider the effect of time zones and day-of-week on scheduling. The bottom line is: if what you’re offering is that remarkable, people will arrange their lives to attend it. Focus on an effective (both time & content) presentation and generating word-of-mouth recommendations to increase awareness over the long-run.

Tips To Increase Traffic For My Blog

I have recently taken my first baby steps in the world of blogging …I want to know some methods or tips to increase the traffic for my blog.I know there are 100 of methods suggested by internet.

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Jay’s Answer: Start with figuring out who you want to read your blog. Where are they located? What age? What do they do for a living? Why would they care about (or enjoy) your writing?

The reason this is important is you’re trying to get more of these people to read your blog. Next, figure out what else these people are likely to read, and become a frequent contributor there – sharing your wisdom as appropriate and/or contacting that blog/company to mention your blog.

Make sure your blog is listed in various blog databases, so people can find your blog when searching. And decide if you’re simply writing articles or trying to build a conversation between you and the reader.

Trying To Get Advertisers For A TV Sitcom

I am a Co-Executive Producer of a female-driven sitcom series entitled “All 4our One,” and we received word that a national television network, in 19 million homes nationwide, likes our pilot and wishes for us to make more episodes for them, roughly 13.

However, the network is set up as a distribution channel, and they basically told me, find yourself some sponsors/advertisers, make your episodes, and mail us your episodes when your done.

We have data and information on our series and who is viewing our website and social pages information, though it hasn’t even been seen anywhere except the film festivals it was shown at. It was tough enough to make a pilot on my paychecks from my other job, but I’m having a hard time trying to find out who would be willing to purchase time on our series, and how to pitch it out to them. I have an advertising proposal, a business plan, a trailer of the series, an no takers…Please help…

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Jay’s Answer: Congrats on getting this far. Television, like other media, has changed dramatically in the last few years because of the Internet. Even successful TV reporters/hosts are having problems finding sponsorship for their shows (the TV stations no longer have the resources to find the opportunities).

Start with your demographics. You say you know who’s viewing your pilot. What products or services does this group purchase disproportionately? Which companies fulfill this need in the distribution network? You should be able to see the list of advertisers for other shows that the network distributes to get some ideas.

Figure out your production costs – including the time necessary to find sponsors to determine what to charge. In addition to basic underwriting/advertising, you could use product placement or in-kind donations (a home/office to use as a set, for example).

Increase the demand. If it hasn’t been seen anywhere except at film festivals – why not show it online – YouTube, etc.? You don’t have to show the entire show – just enough to prove that the writing is sharp, the characters interesting, the photography is crisp, etc.

On you YouTube videos and/or website, have you placed a notice that you’re looking for sponsors?

Best-practice recommendations for nurture marketing?

We’re interested in becoming a more personalized resource for prospective clients during the sales cycle by building a clearer “nurture-marketing” strategy. But what are best practices for staying customer-focused and truly helpful via personalized emails, phone calls, and the like?

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Jay’s Answer: It depends on what you mean by “nuture marketing”. Classically, nuture marketing focuses on prospective clients who are qualified to purchase, but not ready to purchase now. So the game is to keep “top of mind” with them, so when they do have the budget/need/resources they would “naturally” choose you. This is normally done using technology (autoresponders, ezines, etc.) to keep “in touch” with them (also called “drip marketing”).

But that’s a superficial definition of nuture marketing. Instead, consider yourself an independent consultant (who is is being paid by your prospective client) rather than a sales person (paid by your company). Your advice would be based on what you think is best for yourclient, instead of being best for your company. Before recommending any solutions, you’d need to deeply understand their problems, resources, and company culture to find the best “fit”.

As an employee for your company, you need to know what your prospect’s “trigger” is and tailor your messaging to them (directing appropriate solutions/case studies/seminars to help them get closer to their trigger). If the value of the sale is high enough, then you may choose to send qualified business opportunities/customers to your prospects to further help them. If the timeframe is long enough, you may also need to re-open a dialog with your prospect, to find out what current underlying needs they have that you may be able to help satisfy.

Remember that you’re trying to nurture a long-term relationship. Therefore, be willing to give up the need for a short-term sale (perhaps referring business to your competition as appropriate) and instead focus on developing a relationship that will be rewarded in the future.

Campaign For Company Offering Housing Loans

I need to come up with an activity/ event / project …a nationwide campaign for a firm offering housing loans. The last time I did a contest where families were encouraged to submit their ‘dream home ‘ design and winners were rewarded in cash. This time I want something with a twist…and the prize would probably be interest free loan. ( working on it) or maybe furnishing the house for free. Objective if to raise brand /company awareness and increase their customer data base. Help!

The media used would be either press releases or via flyers. Ideally the event should get families involved. Maybe even a contest running through for 3 months? TV is ruled out completely. Radio is an option – it’s not a cheap media but if the campaign is unique – we could push it through.

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Jay’s Answer: Why not a YouTube contest (have entrants create 30sec-1min videos saying why they should win)? Create a video describing the rules, and example or two of types of entries you’re looking for, and an email address for people to submit their videos to (and their contact info)? Have a nationwide voting period to pick the best entry (from among the best you selected).

Bringing In More Site Visitors

How can I best attract users to my site (Questionfish.com)?  And then they bring friends.  And how can I let local business know about my low cost sms coupons?

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Jay’s Answer: Right now your website appears to be trying to do everything for everyone: questions, groups, how-tos, local attractions, and even dating. While you can compete with sites like Craigslist, you need to focus on an underserved niche. Think of it this way – why should someone care about your site? So start with a region and the low cost SMS coupons and target people who are likely to see/use them. Perhaps it’s a college crowd. Young professionals. Kids. Once you’ve focused on the region/market, then contact businesses who are likely to have this demographic as their clients. Since you have a chicken-and-egg problem, you’ll need to get businesses to offer coupons for no cost to them (initially). One you have sufficient coupons, then you can start marketing to your target market to get them to visit your website.